A
human being is basically an animal. He belongs to the
Homo Sapiens group of primates. Homo Sapiens have been
defined as the species of bi-pedal primates. Modern man
belongs to this species and is characterised by a brain
capacity averaging 1400 CC and by dependence upon language
and the creation and utilisation of complex tools - the
only surviving hominid. How is the human being different
or superior to other animals? The question is whether
our cognitive abilities differ from those of other animals
in kind or in degree or in both. Charles Darwin held that,
otherwise similar, human beings are incrementally more
intelligent than other animals due to the process of evolution.
However, some research findings assert that basically
there exists a profound gap between our intellect and
that of the animals.

Why
do the animals behave in the manner they do and how is
it different from human behaviour? The real secret of
how animals are born with the knowledge of how to do things
or behave in a certain manner seems to be a mystery. However,
they possess ‘innate behaviour’. Such an ‘innate
behaviour’does not have to be taught or practised.
It is an activity that an animal knows from birth. It
can be said that ‘innate behaviour’ is nothing
but a part of animals’ DNA make-up. However, sometimes
they can be taught ‘learned behaviour’ through
formal training e.g., as in the case of the circus animals.
These behaviours are passed down from one generation to
the next through the genes. Human behaviour is mostly,
the outcome of an adopted mind. Adoption means adopt from
the environment and the prevailing culture. The consciousness
of an animal, other than the human beings, is instinctive
consciousness whereas that of human beings is intellectual
consciousness. Through his adopted culture, the human
being is able to control the propulsions of his instinct
at will. Unlike an animal, he doesn’t always react
to instinctive motivations. The three strongest common
instinctive behaviours of both animals and human beings
relate to hunger, anger and sex. The study of human behaviour
has aptly proven that when a man is severely inflicted
with any of these three motivations, he behaves no better
than an animal. In such a state of mind, he is capable
of inflicting grievous violence like murder, rape or robbery
on others.

Anger,
if not controlled, has all the potentialities of leading
to violence and committing of crime. Usually, physical
violence is a result of a state of mental violence. A
person may seem to be extremely polite and calm in his
external behaviour but may be nourishing a lot of mental
violence within. There are examples of many people who
committed major crimes like murder and repented later.
This is indicative of the fact that they were not aware
about the burning amber of violence within their mind.
Such persons are prone to find fault and imperfection
in others without realising their own deficiencies. A
large number of such persons develop mental and neuro
diseases because they live in a virtual world of hatred,
jealousy, revenge and inflated ego. They need serious
counselling. That is why, the Vedic culture and the wise
advised for the control and suppression of mental violence.
The entire Indian Culture as propounded by the Seers and
the Gurus has been programmed to develop this state of
mental equipoise through Yogic practices, meditation and
various other methods. It is said that a man who is capable
of controlling his mind is capable of controlling everything.
May we always strive to shun hatred and violence.

You may have given many different gifts to your
friends and loved ones, but giving a subscription
of "Heritage of Shirdi Sai" magazine would be a
unique gift as it connects the people you love with
SADGURU SHIRDI SAI and brings His blessings with
the gift.

Topic of Discussion feature is
intended to initiate useful discussions on topics
related to Shirdi Sai Philosophy and His teachings,
Guru Tradition, Teachings of the Sadguru,
the nature and functions of the Perfect Masters,
true devotion, qualification of a disciple, etc.
"We owe to nature to protect it "

TOPIC OF DISCUSSION:
"We should protect our culture which is a
binding force of our society ".

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